(ANSA) - BRUSSEL, 19 NOV - 'The EU cannot afford to make compromises on the rule of law clause, which is the condition for the disbursement of funds from the 2021-2027 European Budget. The EU's survival as an open society faithful to its fundamental values depends on how the Union responds to the challenge of Hungary and Poland," said American philanthropist of Hungarian origin, George Soros, in an article published online by 'Project-syndicate.' "There is a way to circumvent Orban-Kaczyński's veto - Soros added -, and that is the issue of the rule of law. In the event of no agreement on a new budget, the old budget, which expires at the end of 2020, is extended annually. Hungary and Poland would not receive any payments under this budget because their governments violate the rule of law. Similarly, the economic revitalization fund, called Next Generation EU, could be implemented using a strengthened cooperation procedure, as proposed by Guy Verhofstadt." (ANSA).